Shikoku Trip – Day 1 – Kobe to Takamatsu

Route: Kobe > Washuzan Observation Deck > Seto Ohashi Memorial Park > Mount Yashima > Takamatsu

Drive: 275km; Walk: 11km

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6

There are two main routes from Kobe to Takamatsu. The quickest route is through the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island. The slightly longer route is through Okayama and Great Setou Bridge. I picked the latter because I wanted to see and drive the Great Setou Bridge

My first stop was the Washuzan Observation Deck, which offers great views of the bridge from the north, i.e. from Honshu Island. A walking trail from the parking area leads to various observation points, each higher than the previous, culminating with a view directly on top the bridge itself.

Great Setou Bridge – From Honshu Side

After crossing the bridge, I stopped at the memorial park commemorating the building of this bridge; or rather, a series of 11 bridges (total about 13km). It took a decade to complete, and a plaque denotes it as a sister bridge to the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco.

Great Setou Bridge – From Shikoku Side

To watch the sun set over Takamatsu, the capital of Kagawa prefecture, I drove up Mount Yashima, just east of the city. On top of the mountain is the Yashima-ji Temple, one of Shikoku’s 88 pilgrimage temples. The weather was nice and clear, so the views of the harbor, the city and the setting sun were a beautiful ending to this day.